What Makes a True Friend?

The meaning of a true friend varies from person to person, depending on who you ask, but nothing holds truer than that finding a true friend is pretty much like finding a needle in a hay stack or where Aladdin is concerned, it’s like “finding the diamond in the rough.” It’s rare yet priceless and totally rewarding when you do find it!

I lost all my friends when I moved to the US. Finding a true friend in a foreign land, in a foreign culture was relatively challenging and likewise, overwhelming. No family around. Everyone was a stranger, except for my husband, thank God! Looking back at those days, I certainly felt like I was alone in an island.

But I did manage to find friends. And some of them possessed the quality of being true friends! And indeed, it was a blessing.

And what made them true friends?

There with you when you’re at your worst and lowest– This to me is the real essence of a true friend which also ties-in with a personal experience. Not too long ago, my family and I went through a terrible crisis and just when we thought the world have forsaken us, the friends we thought were our friends were not there for us. A couple actually came through for us and went out of their way to help us brave the storm we were caught in.

Accepts you for who you are – Nothing can be more rewarding when you are accepted for who you are, with all your flaws and imperfections, with open arms and without prejudice! Being from another country, the greatest gift was to be accepted for being different but not treated as different!

Doesn’t want what you have – but rather supports you and is genuinely happy for you. This holds quite true for Oprah with her friendship with Gayle King where she described her as “somebody who cares for her and only wants the best for her”. Especially with her fame, she was not after her fame but rather there supporting her, next to her and rejoicing with her.

Respects what you believe in – We all have differing opinions and religions or even the lack thereof. A true friend respects without judging but rather understands and continuously nurtures the friendship. I’m blessed to have friends who are respectful this way.

Shows you the world like nobody can – I remember when I was in high school and my best friend at that time took me where she lives and took me to her family’s fishpond out in the country. She taught me how to fish, what life is like in her world and what it’s like to live in a hut next to a fishpond. It was a different world compared to mine. I’ve always lived in the city all my life and that was a wonderful adventure to me!

And here is what a TRUE FRIEND means to others:

Somebody who can tell you when you have spinach in your teeth, both literally and figuratively, and still love you. – Cindy Dyer, Get Along Home

Someone that you can care about enough to listen and love but that listens and loves in return. Someone who can celebrate your highs and lows without jealousy or bitterness. Someone that neither distance nor time, distance you from. – Amy Barseghian, From One Mommy to Another

A true friend is a person who sees past your bad moments because they appreciate your good moments. A true friend loves you no matter what. – Di Harrison, Artist, Charlotte NC

A person who is there for you through the good times and the rough ones & a person who always believes in you and your integrity. – Jennifer Leal, Savoring The Thyme

A true friend will tell you when your butt looks too big when you ask, on the flip side, a true friend will look at their friend and hug them for telling the truth. – Tina Kelley, Mad Hatter Mom

A true friend does not judge you, rather they support you & will never lie to you. They are there for the good times and the bad ones. And most importantly they get your twisted sense of humor. – Shana Dieli, Shana Mama

Hi Robert,
Thanks for visiting us and sharing your own story about friendship. As bears, we put a big value on friendship because we know it is friends (and family) that make life so wonderful. Thanks for sharing your insight as well!

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